G7 wants to impose new sanctions on Iran if protests are suppressed

The foreign ministers of the G7 countries have declared that they are prepared to impose further restrictive measures on Iran if it continues to suppress protests and dissent in violation of its international human rights obligations.

"We are deeply concerned by the high number of reported casualties and injuries," the G7 said.

"We condemn the deliberate use of violence and killing of protesters, arbitrary detention, and intimidation practices by security forces against demonstrators," the statement said.

At the same time, they called on the Iranian authorities to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from violence, and respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iranian citizens.

Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he had learned that the killings in Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests were subsiding. He believes that there are currently no plans for widespread executions, although tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high.

(reuters, luc)